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Bill

SB 313

Election Law - Postelection Tabulation Audits - Risk-Limiting Audits

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Washington

Maryland now requires risk-limiting statistical audits of election results to verify accuracy and detect discrepancies between reported and actual vote counts.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 320
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 313

Legislative bill overview

SB 313 establishes a framework for conducting risk-limiting audits (RLAs) of election results in Maryland following general elections. The bill requires the State Board of Elections to implement these statistical audits, which examine a sample of ballots to verify that reported election outcomes are accurate. RLAs are designed to detect discrepancies between machine counts and actual votes with mathematical confidence.

Why is this important

Election auditing directly affects public confidence in voting integrity and the legitimacy of election results. RLAs provide a cost-effective alternative to full hand recounts while offering statistical verification that reported winners are correct. This addresses both election security concerns and resource efficiency for election administration.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation cost and complexity: RLAs require trained personnel, statistical expertise, and additional post-election resources that may strain county election offices with limited budgets
  • Timeline constraints: Audits must occur after Election Day but before certification deadlines, potentially creating pressure and logistical challenges for election officials
  • Public understanding and trust: Statistical audits may confuse voters unfamiliar with RLA methodology, potentially generating concerns rather than confidence if not properly explained

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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